City of Anna City Council met March 1.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Anna City Council met in regular session at Anna City Hall at 5:01 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Steve Hartline. The roll call went as follows: Present were Commissioner Michael Bigler, Commissioner Kathy Bryan, Commissioner Bryan Miller, Commissioner Martha Ann Webb and Mayor Steve Hartline. None were absent.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bryan and seconded by Commissioner Webb that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 15TH, 2022 ANNA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION MINUTES AS THE OFFICIAL MINUTES OF SAID MEETING. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Mayor Hartline voted yea. Nay – none. None were absent. Mayor Hartline declared the motion carried.
City Administrator Dori Bigler reported that Randy Buelna will be attending the meeting on March 1, 2022 due to inclement weather and the delay of the inspection at his property.
Dave Prater addressed the council regarding the new gaming license requirements. Mr. Prater explained that he owns Strike Zone and he received papers in the mail regarding the new ordinance. He explained that after taxes, the big bread winner is the State of Illinois. He pointed out that the City received $171,000 last year. He explained his frustration is that the state said all he needed was a liquor license for gaming, up until two weeks ago when the city informed him of their gaming regulations. He said that he is ‘the little guy’ and the city got $8,000 from his business last year. He questioned if $171,000 wasn’t enough? He explained that he is just asking for a little fairness. He says that it has gone from him not having to do anything to him having to complete paperwork. He says that he would like to have been made aware that this was going to be discussed prior to it being voted on. He says there are only 6 local people with licenses, could the city not have called them? He questioned that the new license was more money for the city to do what; sit back and collect more money. Mayor Hartline explained that the terminal fees have been in effect for a while. Commissioner Bigler explained that although it has been permissible for years, the city never had a fee and therefore Mr. Prater saved on this fee. Mayor Hartline asked Mr. Prater if he was basically asking for the council to reconsider the amount. Mr. Prater stated yes. Mr. Prater went on to say that Rhodes isn’t going to care; but it hurts the little bars. The Elks and Moose Clubs donate their proceeds to charity. Mr. Prater stated that he has never complained about the percentage, but it wasn’t enough. He says are we all making money in this? Yes; but the businesses have bills to pay. Mr. Prater explains that he feels that the city is picking on the little guy. The big companies aren’t going to come before the council, it doesn’t affect them. The government is getting half of it. Mayor Hartline explained that the city tried to help businesses by waiving their 2021 liquor license fees during the pandemic. Commissioner Bryan pointed out that this is passive income for everyone involved, not just the City.
Administrator Dori Bigler reported on the following projects: (1) Hadley’s Haven is doing a fundraiser and wanted to extend an invitation to the council. This is not a city sponsored event. (2) Administrator Bigler and PW Manager Gary Dahmer are reviewing Carbondale’s sign ordinance and will present the council with language. (3) Bids were due on February 25th for the tank painting project and no bids were received. Ted Beggs wrote a memo to explain the possible reasons for a lack of interest, including the location of the tank, lead paint on the tank, IL workers’ requirement (unemployment must fall below 5% for 3 months before this is lifted), and the number of jobs out there are ‘lower hanging fruit’. Administrator Bigler is working with the city’s engineer on working on a plan to repaint the current tower in conjunction with the water system improvements to the east of town to ensure the projects are complimentary. (4) Administrator Bigler reminded the council that economic interest statements are due to City Treasurer Danyelle Dodd prior to May. (5) Administrator Bigler gave an update on the Choate gas project. The state approved the agreement and has cut a check to the city. Our gas engineer has begun to order the materials and the project is beginning to move. (6) Administrator Bigler set up a meeting with Aeriz and their engineer last week to discuss their gas project. We are all working together to ensure the project is in order. (7) At this meeting, Administrator Bigler and Aeriz started the conversation and getting the process for annexation of the site of building #4 going, which will be constructed in 2024. (8) Administrator Bigler reported that she had a meeting with WALLDOGS and wanted to get the council to begin to think and consider doing a project in Anna. As the FY23 budget is being put together, maybe they could think about having WALLDOGS do a historical mural to kickstart a project. This would increase awareness and excitement for a WALLDOGS festival, where 10-15 murals would be painted from a Wednesday to Sunday. WALLDOGS brings together artists from all over, at one festival they had 250 artists from 9 countries. The City would be responsible for having the funds, which are around $9,000 per mural. We would have signed agreements with building owners to use their walls and they would agree to not cover the mural for 20 years. The paint used is 20-year paint and of the highest quality for this type of project. This would take several years of planning and would include a WALLDOGS project leader, historical committee, housing committee, etc. (9) As previously mentioned, the City will be participating in CAP month by turning the street lights on Davie and Herman Wright Drive to blue. With the help of Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, we will be opening up Gumdrop Drive for CAP Month as well. This will be free for businesses and individuals but donations are welcome and will go to the Warm Soles, New Hope Campaign through Operation Warm.
A motion was made by Commissioner Webb and seconded by Commissioner Miller that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE THE OUTSIDE WATER TAP AT 107 OLD SARATOGA ROAD FOR MICK PLUMMER. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bigler, Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Mayor Hartline voted yea. Nay - none. None were absent.
Mayor Hartline declared the motion carried.
Administrator Bigler reported that Ordinance 2022-05 is an IML model ordinance regarding the COVID local fiscal recovery fund money. We will be receiving around $557,000 and are working with our engineer to get a project in order for replacing hydrants and valves for water infrastructure.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bryan and seconded by Commissioner Webbthat it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2022-05; PERTAINING TO THE CORONAVIRUS LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUND FOR THE CITY OF ANNA. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bigler, Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Mayor Hartline voted yea. Nay – none. None were absent. Mayor Hartline declared the motion carried.
City Administrator Bigler explained that she talked with IDOT about creating a snow route and an ordinance is needed. Mayor Hartline asked how we declare the snow route. Administrator Bigler explained with signage. Commissioner Bryan asked if we needed to put the route in the ordinance. Administrator Bigler said that she utilized the language from Carbondale’s code for their snow routes. She explained that the council did not give direction on the location, the only thing mentioned at the last meeting was South Main Street by Tanya Loveless. Administrator Bigler explained that IDOT would issue us a permit for the signs and we would work with them on the permissible locations to erect the signage. Mayor Hartline stated that the city could still pass the ordinance and then later decide the actual streets. Commissioner Bigler stated that IDOT’s division of local roads may have some suggestions for us. Mayor Hartline informed the council to send Administrator Bigler their suggested snow routes at a later time.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bryan and seconded by Commissioner Miller that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2022-06; PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF AN EMERGENCY SNOW ROUTE. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bigler, Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Mayor Hartline voted yea. Nay – none. None were absent. Mayor Hartline declared the motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Webb and seconded by Commissioner Bigler that it be RESOLVED TO APPROVE A FENCING APPLICATION FOR FUNTOWN RV. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bigler, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Mayor Hartline voted yea. Nay – none. Commissioner Bryan abstained. None were absent. Mayor Hartline declared the motion carried.
Chris Plott was in the audience and Mayor Hartline addressed him to inquire if he had any comments on the fencing application. Mr. Plott stated no but while he was in attendance, he would mention that FunTown wants the asphalt dug up around the fire hydrant so they can landscape it. Mayor Hartline informed him to get with PW Manager Gary Dahmer to look at it. Chief Watkins chimed in that it needs to follow the city’s ordinances. Commissioner Bigler pointed out that Chief Dammerman needs to be involved as well.
Administrator Bigler reported that the City, by state statute, should have seven members on the zoning board of appeals, and currently there are only five. Mayor Hartline told the council to think on this and send recommendations to Administrator Bigler.
Mayor Hartline asked if any of the commissioners had anything to report. Commissioner Webb reported that the City flag is now flying in front of City Hall.
Mayor Hartline asked if the department heads had anything to report. Chief Watkins reported that the Anna ZX Manager informed him that for the month of March, their fundraiser will go to the Shop with a Cop program. He encouraged everyone to go by ZX during March and drop a dollar or two.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bryan and seconded by Commissioner Bigler that it be RESOLVED THAT THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE ANNA CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 1, 2022 BE ADJOURNED AT 6:15 PM. A vote was taken upon the motion with the following results. Commissioner Bigler, Commissioner Bryan, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Webb and Mayor Hartline voted yea. Nay – none. None were absent. Mayor Hartline declared the motion carried.
https://cityofanna.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MARCH-1-2022-MINUTES-REGULAR-SESSION-3.pdf
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